Slate Roofing in New Orleans for Historic and New Homes
- A slate roof built to last over a century
- Each slate cut to fit and secured with copper nails
- Free estimate before your slate project starts
- Residential License # 890459
- Commercial License # 3667
Slate roofing in New Orleans gives a home natural stone overhead, with a look and durability few materials can match. TurnKey Roofing Contractor installs new slate roofs and repairs existing ones, cutting each slate to fit and securing it with copper nails so the roof holds up through humidity, heavy rain and storm season.
Call (504) 608-3921 or request a free slate roof estimate. We'll look at the roof and the framing under it, explain your options and give you a clear price before your project starts.
Why Homeowners Choose a Slate Roof
Slate is quarried stone split into thin pieces, and that origin gives it qualities no manufactured roofing fully copies.
- Exceptional durability: with proper maintenance, slate is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials available
- Moisture resistance: the stone resists mold and mildew, which matters in our humid climate
- Fire resistance: stone doesn't burn
- Natural color and texture: each slate varies slightly, giving the roof depth and character
- A fit for many styles: slate suits historic homes and modern designs alike
- A natural material: slate needs no synthetic manufacturing and can be salvaged and reused
A slate roof that's well maintained rarely needs replacing, which keeps old roofing out of landfills and adds lasting value to the home.
Slate Compared With Other Roofing Materials
Slate costs more up front than most materials, and the table shows what that buys.
| Feature | Slate | Tile | Architectural shingles | Metal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Natural stone | Clay or concrete | Asphalt and fiberglass | Steel or aluminum |
| Weight | Very heavy | Heavy | Light | Light |
| Service life | Among the longest of any roof with maintenance | 50+ years with maintenance | 15 to 30 years | 40 to 70 years |
| Look | Natural stone with subtle color variation | Curved or flat profiles in earth tones | Layered, wood-like texture | Standing seam or panel lines |
| Repairs | Individual slates swapped out | Individual tiles replaced | Shingles replaced and matched | Panels, fasteners and seams |
For a heavy roof with a similar long life and a different look, see our tile roof page. Metal roofing offers long service at a fraction of the weight.
What to Consider Before Installing a Slate Roof
A slate roof is a long-term commitment, so a few questions need answers before work starts.
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Weight and Framing
Slate is far heavier than asphalt shingles. Some homes need their rafters or decking strengthened to carry it, and we check the framing before we price the job.
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Slate Quality and Source
Hard slates hold up much longer than soft ones, and some quarries produce stone that handles moisture and temperature swings better than others. Ask where the slate comes from and how it's graded.
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Cost
The price covers materials, skilled labor and sometimes changes to the structure. High-grade slate is a large part of the expense, and slate work takes experienced installers.
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Installation Skill
Slate needs different tools and methods than other roofing. Poor nailing or careless handling cracks slates and shortens the life of a material that should outlast its fasteners.
How Slate Handles New Orleans Weather
Slate's weight and stone surface give it real advantages in our climate, along with a few weak points worth knowing.
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Humidity and Heavy Rain
Good slate absorbs very little water, so it resists the moss, mildew and rot that wear down wood and asphalt in damp air. Water problems on slate roofs tend to come from worn flashing, clogged valleys or aging underlayment, not from the stone.
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Wind
Heavy slates sit tight on the roof and resist being lifted by gusts, as long as their nails are sound. Slates held by corroded nails are the ones that slide loose during a storm.
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Flying Debris
Slate is hard but brittle, so branches and debris thrown by tropical storms can crack individual slates, which is why a check after hurricane season is worth booking.
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Heat and Sun
Slate doesn't soften, dry out or lose granules in the sun the way asphalt does. Unfading slates hold their color for many years, while weathering slates mellow gradually.
Our Slate Roof Installation Process
A slate roof combines traditional methods with modern underlayment and flashing.
- Assess the roof and structure. We check the existing roof, the decking and the framing, talk through your preferences, and handle the permits the job needs.
- Select the slate. We source quality slate in the color and texture that suit your home and our weather.
- Prepare the deck. The deck is repaired or reinforced to support the weight of the slate.
- Install the underlayment and flashing. An underlayment goes down for added protection against water, and durable metal flashing goes in at valleys, walls and chimneys.
- Set the slates. Each slate is laid out, cut to fit where needed, and secured with copper nails for strength against harsh weather.
- Inspect and clean up. We look over the finished slate and flashing, then clean up the work area and haul off the old roofing.
Copper nails resist corrosion in our damp air. On older slate roofs, rusted steel nails are a common reason slates slip out of place while the stone itself is still sound.
Slate Roof Repair
A slate roof can usually be repaired one piece at a time. A roofer uses a slate ripper to cut the nails on a broken slate, slides in a replacement, and secures it without disturbing the slates around it.
- Cracked, broken or slipped slates replaced with matching stone
- Rusted or failed flashing replaced at chimneys, valleys and walls
- Worn underlayment repaired where slates have been lifted
- Earlier patches of tar or mismatched material removed and redone properly
Our roof repair service handles slate along with other materials. We match replacement slate as closely as we can source it, which matters on older homes. When an exact match is hard to find, slates from a less visible slope can sometimes be moved to the front of the house and the new stone set where it won't stand out. Our post on roof problems in historic New Orleans homes explains why older roofs need this kind of care.
Caring for a Slate Roof
Slate needs little upkeep, but the parts around it wear sooner than the stone. These habits protect it:
- Stay off the roof, since walking on slate can crack it
- Have a roofer check the slates and flashing each year and after storms
- Keep gutters and valleys clear so water drains freely
- Fix a slipped or broken slate quickly before water reaches the deck
- Trim branches that could fall on the roof in high wind
Book a roof inspection with a roofer who knows slate, since the stone needs careful handling to check without breaking it.
Slate Roofing FAQs
Estimates are free
- Residential License # 890459
- Commercial License # 3667
How long does a slate roof last?
With proper maintenance, slate is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials available. The flashing, nails and underlayment usually need attention long before the stone wears out.
Does slate hold up in the New Orleans climate?
Slate resists mold and mildew and handles harsh weather better than many materials. Some types handle moisture and temperature changes better than others, so choose slate suited to local conditions.
Does my home need changes to carry a slate roof?
Some homes need their framing or decking strengthened to support the weight of slate. We check the structure before the project is priced.
Can a few broken slates be repaired?
Yes. Broken slates can be removed and replaced one at a time with matching stone, without disturbing the rest of the roof.
Is a slate roof worth the cost?
The upfront cost covers materials, labor and sometimes structural work. Because slate lasts so long with maintenance, it often proves economical over the life of the home.
Get a Free Slate Roofing Estimate in New Orleans
Call (504) 608-3921 or book your free estimate online. We'll help you decide whether to install a new slate roof or restore the one you have. We're licensed under Residential License # 890459, and our Unlimited Wind Warranty covers wind damage regardless of wind speed.